G. FAVRE VAL D'OR. Circa 1930. 581/4x383/4 inches. Gaillard, Paris. Condition B+: repaired tears in margins; creases and minor foxing in image; unobtrusive vertical and horizontal folds. No personal biographical information exists on Favre, although he was a prolific poster designer who from the second half of the 1920s until 1935 was under contract with Affiches Gaillard. Favre specialized in industrial advertising, creating posters for cars, cycles and various products such as tires, batteries or, as seen here, tools. Favre's earlier posters reflect the clear influence of Cappiello, but he soon found his own, Art Deco style. This image is beautifully stylized if slightly morbid and hard to understand. The drill itself is very realistically depicted, and the green character, with his shadow, are cubistically rendered. One reading of the image suggests that even this toughened "steel centurion" is no match for the power of this drill.
